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A Brief History Of SB 1070

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1070, or SB 1070, into law on April 23, 2010. Supporters sought border security, while opponents feared racial profiling. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments to uphold or overrule an injunction on certain aspects of the law. A ruling on the injunction was released June 25, 2012.

Arizona officials argue they are responsible for stopping illegal immigrants when they enter the state. Officials from Washington D.C. contend enforcing immigration laws is the federal government's responsibility.

The plan is to raise millions of dollars through private donations - in part through a website - to build a more secure fence along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona. It's still unclear exactly where the barrier will go.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments April 25 in a controversial immigration case - Arizona's SB 1070. Supporters say the law has achieved one of its goals: Thousands of illegal immigrants have left on their own.

So-called self-deportation laws aim to make a place so difficult for unauthorized immigrants that they leave or “self-deport”. Arizona has passed several laws and initiatives in this vein. In spite of them, data show many unauthorized immigrants have found a way to stay.

For years, Arizona's immigration-enforcement charge has been led by senior lawmakers. Lately, many of the most aggressive immigration bills were crafted by freshman state Senator Steve Smith. Now, he’s leading a fundraising campaign to use private donations for a new border fence.

The recall of Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce could lead to a discussion about immigration focused on solutions instead of rhetoric. Members of the Tea Party say there are others to carry on the cause.

The head of the American Civil Liberties Union in San Diego says he and his staff helped craft the lawsuit against Arizona's controversial new immigration law. The ACLU and other civil rights groups sued all Arizona counties and sheriffs on Monday arguing the law is unconstitutional.